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The European Forum for Studies of Policies for Research and Innovation, EU-SPRI Forum, continues its successful series of Winter and Summer Schools with a week at SPRU from 30 March 2020. This series aims to provide state-of-the-art training in the study of science and innovation policy and supporting disciplines, catering for early career scholars and professionals at different stages of their careers. It concentrates on current research and debates, with emphasis on policy and pressing societal challenges. SPRU will host next year’s session of this series on the dual (and inter-related) themes of Transformative Innovation for Sustainability and Post-industrial Industrial Policy
Growing pressure to address the sources of climate change is driving the search for short- and medium-term solutions to a series of problems that have been created over the past two centuries. Major transformations are needed in the techno-economic and socio-technical systems in countries in both the global North and South. The imperatives of growth, employment, and international competitiveness remain compelling and policymakers are reconsidering the use of industrial policy. Ironically and perhaps tragically, the new industrial policy often looks like the old, focused on restoring manufacturing and national leadership to the largely post-industrial global North. The ‘green growth’ agenda has become a convenient way to resolve this implicit contradiction. As a mission, green growth or green new deal policies promise to address not only the sources of climate change but also the growth and competitiveness agendas. Variants of it promise a resurgence of industrial production in ‘clean’ industries, new sources of employment and a central role for the search for scientific solutions. Are these promises warranted? The interaction and interdependence of these two themes will play a central role in the presentations and discussions of this Spring School.
Meanwhile, economic and social life continues to evolve in ways that have distinctive 21st century characteristics. Technologies and socio-economic systems involving digitally enabled platforms, new challenges and opportunities in health care, artificial intelligence and dramatic new possibilities for biotechnology create their own challenges for promotional and regulatory policy and contribute to the sustainability and industrial policy themes of the week.
These developments will offer a vast frontier for policy research for those with an interest in science, technology and innovation and science, technology and society studies as well as other allied social science areas. At SPRU, we have found that the overarching notion of ‘transformative change’, with new objectives, scope of action, scales and pace for innovation and industrial policy, is a useful framing for thinking about these developments. This emerging frame taps into ongoing debates in research, policy and practice, and places greater emphasis on systemic responses, and renewed notions of social progress and democracy.
This Spring School seeks to familiarise participants with cutting-edge debates about ‘transformative change’ in the context of STI policy and its associated practices. Through topical seminars and discussions, participants will explore the two themes and their connections and departures from conventional STI policy. Sessions will also discuss concrete examples of efforts to promote such transformations.
Three guiding questions will be addressed:
How may contrasting understandings of ‘transformative change’ be brought to bear on policy responses to pressing contemporary challenges?
How to ensure such responses are inclusive and democratic?
How to advance such responses through transdisciplinary approaches and alliances?
Important dates
10 December 2019
Applications open
21 February 2020
Deadline for applications
28 February 2020
Invitations to participate sent and final programme confirmed
6 March 2020
Deadline for registration
30 March 2020
School starts (08:30-17:15)
3 April 2020
School closes (09:00-15:00)
Course objectives
Participants will become familiar with the emerging ‘transformative change’ frame, and will be able to:
Critically examine the prevalent framings of science and technology policy, placing them in historical perspective
Recognise and discuss the emerging policy practices which embody the ‘transformative change’ frame
Identify and critically assess methods and approaches with the potential to ‘open-up’ and democratise STI policies
Consider the role of alternative science and technology indicators
Reflect on the relevance of the ‘transformative change’ frame to their current research and professional practice
The course has a duration of 5 days and combines lectures, panel discussions, interactive and training sessions. Each day will be dedicated to one or more topics -- combining lectures, case studies and group discussions. Sessions will also be held to present and discuss the PhD research of participants with the aim of providing supportive peer and senior feedback and ideas.
Participants will also receive training in research communication. As an assignment, they will work towards writing blogs that critically reflect on contemporary STI practice through the perspectives discussed in the course; the resulting work will be published in appropriate channels, with the intention of opening up a broader conversation.
Upon completion of the course and the assignment, participants receive a certificate of attendance.
Location
SPRU will host the school in the Jubilee Building at the University of Sussex. The University is a short train or bus journey from Brighton and Hove city centre.
Participants will be accommodated in a hotel on Brighton beachfront in a convivial area of the city centre. Participants will be provided with bus passes for travel during the week. A bus stop close to the hotel serves the University of Sussex campus. The hotel is walking distance from Brighton train station with trains serving Gatwick Airport and central London (for other airports and the Eurostar).
Fees
All participants must make their travel arrangements independently.
Participants from EU-SPRI member organisations have fee waivers covering the course, accommodation, and catering costs. Dinner catering, aside from one group dinner in Brighton, will be at the residence hotel.
Participants from other institutions are subject to a £690 fee to cover the course, accommodation, and catering costs.
Application for Participation
We seek early career researchers and professionals whose track-records demonstrate an interest and capacity to participate in doctoral level discussion of theory and research methods in the STI and STS areas. We also welcome individuals with similar interests and capabilities who believe they would benefit from the training offered.
The committee will consider applications from PhD candidates who are past their 1st year; early career researchers; and innovation policy professionals from public agencies, research institutes and consultancies, and experienced social entrepreneurs.
Considering that a balanced and diverse group would foster a better learning environment, the committee will take diversity into account when selecting participants. The dimensions of gender, nationality and professional background will be considered.
How to apply
Applicants should submit a PDF document, with your name as the file name, consisting of:
A motivation letter (1 page, 500 words)
A brief CV (2 pages)
A recommendation letter (300 words)
Applicants are requested to use the Europass template (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae) for their CV
Applications will be evaluated on three criteria:
A demonstrable capacity to conduct research on STI or STS issues with policy relevance (motivation letter and CV)
Likelihood that the participant will benefit from the training (motivation letter)
Track-record (CV and recommendation letter)
Applications must be sent before Friday 21 February, 17:00 GMT, to bsre@sussex.ac.uk
More information
For more information regarding this training week, please contact Ed Steinmueller (w.e.steinmueller@sussex.ac.uk)
For information regarding the EU-SPRI, please contact the secretariat: info@euspri-forum.eu
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